Linear Functions Applications

Target Training Heart Rate

The target training heart rate is a useful measure of exercise intensity, which is used by everyone from athletes to patients recovering from heart attacks. The Karvonen formula is commonly used to determine a target training heart rate when exercising. This formula takes into consideration both the age of the person training as well as their resting heart rate.

Using this formula, the maximum heart rate (HRmax) is
computed as,

HRmax = 220 − A,

where A represents the age of the person training. The reserve heart rate (HRrsv) is computed as,

HRrsv = HRmax− HRrest,

where HRrest is the resting heart rate in beats per minute (bpm). Using these
measures, the target heart rate (HRtarg) is computed as,

HRtarg = p · HRrsv + HRrest,

where p is the training percentage. Depending on the specific training goals, p is commonly between 50% and 85% (0.50 - 0.85) when exercising. In practice, lower values
of p correspond to an intensity of exercise consistent with health maintenance and weight loss while higher values of p correspond to an exercise intensity compatible with intense fitness training.